UP ABOVE

‘No. Absolutely not. They’re far from ready, my dear,’ an elderly male voice declared.

‘If not now, when? The world moves fast these days, and our enemies even faster.’

‘They need time to mature naturally. You know what could happen if we rush them.’

‘And you know what will happen if we wait too long. We may not get another chance.’

‘Are you willing to risk them all? Even the youngest?’

The woman hesitated, but only briefly.

‘Yes.’

‘You sound remarkably confident.’

‘Trust me. I have a plan.’

‘Ha! Cunning as a fox, as always. Very well. Set your plan in motion, and may the gods favour us all.’

K1 — HEADQUARTERS OF KAMI SYSTEMS

‘Are you kidding me? It’s due this week?’ asked Sarariman.

‘I’m, I’m afraid so. She wants it done as a priority.’

‘Impossible. It can’t be done. I’ll take it to the top if I have to.’

‘Ah, about that. It came from the top.’

Brain. About. To. Explode, thought Sarariman.

‘That woman will be the death of me, I swear. No wonder they call it a deadline. I wonder how many people have died trying to beat one?’

‘Quite a few, actually. During the American Civil War, prisoners could be shot for crossing a designated deadline.’

‘How on earth would you — or anyone human — know something that obscure?’ asked Sarariman.

‘We’re building multiple holding cells downstairs, Sar-san. I stumbled across the original term during my research, that’s all,’ replied Otaku.

‘Well, there’s no more time for stumbling. We need to get back to work, and seeing as you’re the chief engineer, we need a new plan ASAP. So, big brain, what’s our first step?’

‘Coffee,’ replied Otaku.

‘Let’s go! Hayaku!’ said Sarariman, practically shoving Otaku out the door.

CON-BINI — THE CONVENIENCE STORE

‘Hi, Sar-san. Hi, Otaku-kun. The usual?’

‘Not today, Connie. I need a double shot, double shot, kudasai.’

‘You mean a quaddie,’ Connie corrected. ‘Daijōbu desu ka?’

‘I’m fine. Well, I mean I’m not fine, but I’ll be a lot finer after I have my morning coffee.’

‘Oh, I see. Tough day at the K. And what about you, Taku-kun?’

I really wish she’d stop calling me that, thought Otaku. I’m a grown man. Especially in front of my senior.

Why doesn’t she call me kun as well? thought Sarariman. I’m not that old. Am I? Well, JK thinks I’m positively ancient, but she’s just a kid, so what would she know anyway?

‘Just the usual, Connie-san,’ replied Otaku.

After a few minutes, Connie presented both men with their drinks.

‘Here’s your special coffee,’ she whispered to Otaku.

Otaku nodded uncomfortably. He had no idea what she meant by ‘special’, but she never failed to mention it.

‘Careful, Taku-kun. The coffee’s hot. You don’t want to burn your important little fingers. Wait, here’s a napkin to put around it,’ said Connie, helpful to the point of being almost motherly.

Sarariman looked down at his cup and his slowly burning fingers. He looked up expectantly at Connie.

‘Sorry, that was the last napkin. Just use your tie to wrap it and you’ll be fine.’ She smiled.

A dejected Sarariman left first, with an oblivious Otaku trailing behind, sipping his ‘special’ coffee.

KAMI SYSTEMS BOARDROOM

Present: OL, Sarariman, Otaku, JK — Sarariman’s younger sister — and Hiki.

‘Okay, everyone, just a quick meeting today, as it’s going to be a busy week. I’d like you all to meet Hiki. Hiki will be starting today as an intern under the watchful guidance of Otaku.’

Otaku was genuinely surprised, mainly because this was the first he’d heard of it.

‘But there must be some mistake. I never ordered an intern,’ said a flustered Otaku.

‘Oh, Otaku-san, you’re such a kidder. Didn’t you get the memo I sent to everyone?’ asked OL.

‘I got it,’ confirmed Sarariman.

‘So did I,’ said a smiling JK.

What? She doesn’t even work here, thought Otaku.

‘Me too,’ chipped in Ralph, the resident cleaner, who happened to be passing the open doorway.

‘But, but I never go—’

OL approached Otaku from behind, moving with the effortless grace of a woman accustomed to attracting attention. Strikingly beautiful, she possessed a quiet confidence that made even the simplest gesture seem deliberate.

She leaned close to his ear, the intoxicating scent of her perfume overwhelming his senses.

‘You look a little upset. It’s not going to be a problem, is it, Otaku-san?’

‘N-nope. No problem at all,’ Otaku stammered feebly.

He’s as spineless as a jellyfish, thought Sarariman.

Wow, she’s good. Really good, thought JK.

Sarariman’s sister sure is cute, thought Hiki, who had spent the last few minutes staring at JK, oblivious to the machinations unfolding in front of him.

‘Great. Now that everyone is on the same page, I have some more exciting news,’ said OL.

‘Also joining us as Sarariman’s part-time assistant is JK!’

‘Well, I got that memo,’ announced Otaku, looking rather pleased with himself.
‘Same here,’ added JK.
‘Me too,’ chipped in Ralph, pushing his cleaning trolley past the open doorway for the second time.

‘She’s only a high-school student. What would she know?’

‘Are you saying that competence doesn’t run in your family, Sar-san?’ enquired OL.

‘Wha? No, no, that’s not what I meant. I come from a proud lineage,’ he replied defensively.

‘Great. It’s settled, then. JK starts tomorrow after school.’

‘Don’t worry, OL-san. I’ll keep an eye on him for you,’ said JK reassuringly.

Keep an eye on me? thought a totally perplexed Sarariman. I need more coffee.

Welcome to my world, Sar-san, thought Otaku with a smile.

Wow, her voice is also super cute, thought a totally smitten Hiki. I was going to call in sick tomorrow, but not now.

And then he sensed someone staring at him. He looked up to find a pair of intense dark-brown eyes fixed on him. A knowing smile formed on her face.

‘Is something the matter, Hiki-kun?’ asked OL, sounding deeply concerned.

‘Ah, no, no, not at all, OL-san,’ stammered Hiki.

Talk about getting sprung.

‘Great, and on that note, I’d officially like to welcome our newest recruits to Kami Systems. This meeting is over,’ she said.

‘I’ll be out of town for the rest of the day, so I’ll see you all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed tomorrow.’

ELSEWHERE

‘Are you ready?’

‘I’m always ready. You?’

‘I was born ready.’

‘Ha! Always trying to outdo me. One day we’ll be on opposite sides, and then we’ll see who’s the better thief.’

‘I look forward to it.’ The woman dressed head to toe in pink smiled. ‘But for now, we have a date with K1.’

TO BE CONTINUED...